NamWater denies hike allegations

BULK water supplier NamWater has rejected claims by local municipalities who allege that they increased their tariffs this year based on bulk water and electricity hikes.

The City of Windhoek in particular has argued that an expected eight per cent increase in NamPower’s bulk water supply and a 15 per cent increase in NamPower’s electricity charges, played a major role in its decision to hike rates and taxes by between 11,85 per cent and 12,04 per cent.In a statement issued on Friday, Namwater Corporate Communications Manager, Johannes Shigwedha, said the parastatal hadn’t increased prices to its bulk customers since 2006.’NamWater has followed and noted with concern reports which appeared in the media regarding water tariff increments by a number of local authorities. Some of these institutions have in the past few days reported through the print and electronic media that the reason why they have decided to increase water tariffs, in some cases between 15 per cent and 18 per cent, was because NamWater has allegedly increased its bulk water tariffs,’ the company stated.Shigweda said that, over the past three years, Namwater has presented a number of proposals to Government regarding potential increments in bulk water tariffs, but said Government found it prudent not to have this done.’NamWater has not increased its bulk water tariffs for the past three years.’ ‘Thus, NamWater is charging Local Authorities the 2006 tariffs,’ Shigwedha said.’Any water tariff increments by a municipality, town or village council… was an independent decision of such an institution and not because of NamWater’s actions regarding bulk water tariff increments,’ he said.Shigwedha warned municipalities, town and village councils to take responsibility for the decisions they make, instead of shifting the blame ‘whenever their respective residents raised questions on water issues’.’NamWater respects its customers and the supplier-client relationship that exists, but it also finds it important that its clients take responsibility for their decisions and actions thereof, and, not unfairly shift the blame to the bulk water supplier,’ he added.